Hilltop Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hilltop Ski Area |
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 Hilltop Ski Area
Location in Anchorage
Hilltop Ski Area
Location in Alaska
Hilltop Ski Area
Location in North America
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| Location | Anchorage, Alaska, US |
| Coordinates | 61°08′27″N 149°44′42″W / 61.14083°N 149.74500°W |
| Vertical | 294 ft (90 m) |
| Skiable area | 30 acres (120,000 m2) |
| Runs | 5 or 6 |
| Longest run | 2090 ft (630 m) |
| Lift system | 1 chair, 1 rope tow, 1 platter lift |
| Website | Hilltop Ski Area |
Hilltop Ski Area is a fun place to ski and snowboard in Anchorage, Alaska. It opened in 1984.
It's located in Far North Bicentennial Park, close to the Chugach Mountains. A group called Youth Exploring Adventure, Inc. runs Hilltop. They are a nonprofit group that helps young people in Anchorage have fun and learn new things.
What You'll Find at Hilltop
Hilltop has different ways to get up the hill! You'll find a triple chairlift, a rope tow, and a platter lift. The ski area covers about 30 acres (12 hectares) of groomed slopes.
The trails have different difficulty levels:
- 80% are easy trails, great for beginners.
- 10% are more difficult.
- 10% are the most difficult, for experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Right next to Hilltop, you can find the Karl Eid Ski Jump Complex. It has three ski jumps that are 15, 40, and 60 meters tall. All of them are lighted for night use. There are also trails for Nordic (cross-country) skiing nearby. Hillside Park has 7.5 miles (12 km) of trails, and Bicentennial Park has 20 miles (32 km) of trails.
Fun Programs and Lessons
Hilltop offers a ski school where you can take lessons. They have group and private lessons for skiing and snowboarding. People of all ages and skill levels can join.
Some special programs include:
- The Hot Dogger Program: This is an after-school program for kids aged 6 to 14.
- Alpine Alternatives: This program teaches skiing to people with disabilities.
Hilltop is also home to the Hilltop Alpine Racing Team (HART). This team offers special training for young racers aged 6 to 19. The instructors at Hilltop are part of the Professional Ski Instructors of America.
You can also join ski and snowboard camps at Hilltop. These camps happen during school breaks, like teacher training days, the December holiday season, and spring break.
A Look at Hilltop's History
The story of Hilltop Ski Area began in the 1950s. A nonprofit group called Hilltop Youth, Inc. was started in Anchorage. Their goal was to offer fun and educational activities for young people.
In 1962, Hilltop Youth set up a rope tow. It was powered by an old military engine! This first rope tow was in a gravel pit. In 1967, the rope tow moved to a new spot. This new location was near Abbott Road and Hillside Drive.
In the early 1980s, a 10-meter ski jump was built at this original site. It was designed by Karl Eid for new skiers. This first Hilltop Ski Area operated from 1967 to 1983.
Then, in 1984, Hilltop Ski Area moved to its current location. This new spot is about half a mile north of the old one. Since then, Youth Exploring Adventure, Inc. has been running the ski area.
Interestingly, some of the equipment from the "old" Hilltop is still used today. The current beginner's slope uses the rope, engine, and motor shack that were updated in the early 1980s.
